Ford Mustang in Photos

Ford Motor Co. introduces the all-new 2015 Mustang convertible on the 86th floor observation deck of the Empire State Building during the New York International Auto Show, April 16, 2014, in New York.

John Minchillo/AP Photo

Ford Motor Co. introduces the all-new 2015 Mustang convertible on the 86th floor observation deck of the Empire State Building during the New York International Auto Show, April 16, 2014, in New York.

John Minchillo/AP Photo

Henry Ford atop the Empire State Building at the 1964 World's Fair. Ford is bringing its latest Mustang back to the Empire State Building on April 16, 2014. The Triple Yellow 2015 Mustang convertible will be on display for visitors to the Empire State Building observation deck April 16-17. Six weeks of preparation were needed to bring and build the Ford Mustang convertible Empire State Building's 86th floor observation deck.

Ford Motor Company

Evolution of the Ford Mustang

Ford Motor Co. unveils its all new 2015 Ford Mustang in Dearborn, Mich., Dec. 5, 2013. The car, which will be the first Mustang sold in Europe and Asia, celebrates the brand's 50th anniversary. It features a trapezoid grill and a new suspension system. See how the Ford Mustang has changed through the years.

Rebecca Cook/Reuters

Ford Mustang Through the Years

Pictured is a first production model of the Shelby Mustang GT350 in Venice, Calif., a Mustang variant by Shelby American, in 1964. Jeff Bartlett, Consumer Reports' autos deputy editor, said the Mustang launched the "pony car" wars following the muscle car.

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Ford Mustang Through the Years

Ford has updated the Mustang through the years after the first model was built in 1964. In versions introduced after 1966, pictured, models were sportier with a roof that sloped into the rear of the car, sometimes called the "Fastback 2+2."

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Ford Mustang Through the Years

Special editions of the Ford Mustang were introduced, including this 1966 Ford Mustang Shelby GT 350. Bartlett said these were "track-inspired" high performance versions of the Mustang.

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Ford Mustang Through the Years

The 1969 to 1970 version of the Mustang models became bigger. The 1969 Ford Mustang Boss 302, pictured, was introduced with the emblematic large black stripe.

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Ford Mustang Through the Years

Ford continued their occasional partnership with Shelby American, producing the 1969 Ford Mustang Shelby GT 500, with more power than the GT 300 version, said Bartlett. Shelby GT 500 mustangs are available from factories. With these models, traditions started that are continuing in today's Mustangs, the latter which are "much more powerful and refined."

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Ford Mustang Through the Years

Mustangs produced from 1971 to 1973 became larger and deviated from the original spirit of the car, said Bartlett. "That was a period in time when a lot of American cars were getting really big," he said. A Ford Mustang from 1972 is pictured above.

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Ford Mustang Through the Years

Ford Mustangs from 1974 to 1978 downsized significantly in size in response to rising oil prices. Often referred to as the Mustang II and ''not a real Mustang," a 1977 version pictured above, it shared its basic engineering with the Ford Pinto, Bartlett said. "It became a cute, small car but not a muscle car," he said. "It didn't have the performance or bravado that defined the genre."

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Ford Mustang Through the Years

The generation of 1979 to 1993 had a "Fox body," which helped reignite Mustang's performance heritage and passion from enthusiasts, Bartlett said. The 1981 model is pictured above. These cars were available with a 302 V8 engine, which is the equivalent of a five-liter engine today.

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Ford Mustang Through the Years

The next generation from 1994 to 2004, with its SN-95 platform, made a "significant leap forward in making it more refined," Bartlett said. A 1997 Ford Mustang convertible is pictured above. Bartlett said the high point of that generation of Mustangs was the 1993 Cobra R, which had the "highest performance" of that generation.

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Ford Mustang Through the Years

The 1994 to 2004 generation of Mustangs had upwards of 390 horsepower. In the photo above in March 2002, guests got a preview of the 2003 Mustang Mach 1 special edition. The Mach 1 made its debut 38 years after the original Mustang was introduced at the New York Auto Show.

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Ford Mustang Through the Years

The 2013 Mustang Boss 302 Laguna Seca is pictured above. The front end offers a more "powerful" design, with its grille, new lighting with standard HID headlamps and LED-surround taillamps. Bartlett said Ford is targeting customers who remember the original fondly, mixed with modern performance and convenience. He said the exterior differs slightly from the 2005 model of the same generation.

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Ford Mustang Through the Years

Ford introduced its Shelby 1000 Mustang at the 2012 New York Auto show. Buyers of the GT 500 Mustang, worth over $55,000, pay an additional $150,000 so Shelby American can turn that car into the "highest performance Mustang ever to carry a warranty," said Bartlett.